For staff at the Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre (CRCC) in Somaliland, wildlife sightings are a common occurrence – and there have been some very interesting observations! Located in Geed-Deeble, about an hour from Hageisa, Somaliland’s capital, the CRCC is situated in the midst of an 1,800 acre forest reserve - and the landscape supports a variety of wildlife. Since moving into the CRCC in July of 2023, staff have observed predators like spotted hyenas, African wildcats, and recently, a pair of African golden wolves.
Herbivores have been spotted around the CRCC too, including gerenuks, long-necked antelopes adapted for arid regions, and dorcas gazelles, a species classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. There have also been plenty of reptiles among the wildlife sightings. The Horn of Africa has more endemic reptiles than any other region on the entire continent, and staff in Somaliland have cataloged a variety of species, including massive African spur tortoises, the largest mainland tortoise on the planet, and a handful of venomous snakes, like puff adders and red spitting cobras.
Bird sightings at the CRCC have been frequent too! More than 700 types of birds have been recorded in the Horn of Africa region – and there have been a number of engaging encounters. Staff have spied bee eaters, flycatchers, pied crows, Northern yellow-billed hornbills, along with birds of prey, including a northern white-faced owl.
Somaliland is situated within the Horn of Africa Biodiversity Hotspot – one of 36 biodiversity hotspots found worldwide. However, over the last century, wildlife populations in the region have declined steadily – and the status of many species remains unknown. By cataloging both the flora and fauna around the CRCC, staff are documenting the region’s biodiversity - and gathering data that can potentially help guide future conservation and education efforts.
